Caldaro has a long history of working with industrial joysticks and pedals. Initially selling the Japanese company Sakae’s joysticks, Caldaro designed its first proprietary joystick in 1992.
”My focus has always been on solving customers’ problems and delivering the best possible products,” explains Claudio Talamo, CEO of Caldaro. ”A new era began when we, or anyone else, simply could not offer a ready-made joystick to suit the customer’s needs. We decided to do what was necessary to develop this unique product and have it thoroughly tested in mining machines before starting series production. Since then, we have successfully developed a large number of customer-unique products offering solutions that did not yet exist”.
”This has been an exciting journey,” he continues. ”It involves going to the customer to find out what they really need. We normally work closely with their development departments. We have also actually been inside real mines to experience the special environment first hand: the moisture, chemicals, the dirt and witnessed the heavy usage during long hours.”
The result is the Caldaro-designed product line, where joysticks and pedals are both ergonomic and incredibly durable, with securely protected electronics. They design both the joystick base and the grips. The Viper and Gecko grip series are available with multiple options, so they can be customised to suit specific needs.
”When designing for industry, you know that your products will be used extensively and yet must maintain their precision day after day,” says Claudio. ”But we also have to consider the operator who often sits in a cabin all day; that’s why we develop ergonomic designs. While the operator’s comfort is an essential goal in and of itself, good ergonomics reduces the strain that leads to fatigue and often injury.”
Another critical component of their development work is the attention to parts that are not visible and to all details, such as the protected electronics, and thoroughly testing electronics systems, using their own developed solutions.
”The design of all products has evolved a lot since we started. A driving factor is the electrification of large machines and more advanced technology to handle a forestry crane, for example. We aim to stay at the forefront and adapt our joysticks and pedals to the latest technological requirements,” Claudio concludes proudly.